“I need it to be over. I can’t live looking over my shoulder, and I made you a promise, Knox. I have to fix what was broken.”
“Not at your expense,” I snap.
“I don’t know how my father did it,” She whispers. “He hid it so well, or maybe he just didn’t care, but I do. I didn’t think I did, I didn’t want to, but I do give a shit, and I promised to give you what you need. But more than that, this whole town is suffering because of the choices made, and I have a very real shot at fixing that. I can bring this place back, but not when I’m constantly hiding.”
“If it means losing you, Elena, then I don’t want it.”
Her lips lift to give a soft, barely there smile. “It’ll be worth it.”
“You’re not going alone.”
“There’s a reason he’s told me to come alone, Knox.”
“Exactly, and that’s why you’re not. I’ll stay out of sight, but I’m not fucking letting you go alone, Elena. It’s out of the question.”
“You’re a real bossy one, cowboy,” She jokes softly.
“It’s all I’ve got,” I reply. “And Elena?”
“Mm?”
“I love you.”
My spine hits the floor before I have a chance to catch my balance, her thighs stretched over my hips as her mouth claims mine. She kisses me desperately, tongue and teeth, and all I can do is hold the fuck on.
“I know,” She says when she finally comes up for air, and all I can fucking do is laugh.
It’s a quiet Sunday morning. Half the town is either at church or sleeping in, making the mainstreet in town empty, the businesses that run here not opening until around noon. My hat is down low, keeping my face in shadow, but I can see her as she waits by the side of the diner, that dress blowing gently in the breeze that sweeps down the street. I hear the rumble of Cade’s engine before I see the car, and he cruises slowly toward her, the car looking out of place in this rundown, dusty town.
Elena steps closer to the road as Cade stops, but he doesn’t get out immediately; he takes a long drag on his cigarette, his head moving around as if surveying the area. His shaded eyes pass over me, not lingering but I lower my hat anyway, not that I think it’s a good disguise but everyone in this town wears a hat and my spot is somewhat hidden behind an oak tree so hopefully he doesn’t clock me.
His mouth is moving, talking, but he presses a few buttons and then cuts off the engine, throwing the door open to greet Elena on the sidewalk. I keep a keen eye on them, never fleeting for even a second. I don’t trust this, not for a minute. My gut is churning, my skin prickling.
There’s something not quite right about this whole situation, something about Caden that is not sitting well.
They head into the diner, Elena guiding Cade to a window seat in direct view of my position.
“Good girl,” I mutter under my breath, eyes never wavering. Thirty minutes pass, and they remain at that table, their cups refilled with coffee,the street empty.
I’m so focused on them I don’t notice the men moving in behind me, not until it’s too late.
A thick arm comes around my throat, tugging, pulling me up and over the back of the bench until my body hits the ground with a thud on the other side.
“Fuck!” I holler, but it’s strained with the restriction pressed to my windpipe. I kick my legs out, trying to find purchase. I can manage for a moment without oxygen if I can just throw the guy off. To my right, a guy moves in, going for my legs, another one on the left mimicking the move.
“Elena!” But my voice isn’t what it needs to be; there’s no volume, nothing but a wet croak.
No!
“Knock him out!” One yells.
Fuck this.
I’m not leaving her.I am not leaving her.We fight this together.
Gathering my strength, pulling it in, I reach behind me and grab the guy holding my throat, throwing him off balance enough to send him flying over me. He hits the dirt and then the back of the bench, and I get to my feet.
I count four of them, including the man on the floor.
